The UNCCD Secretariat has officially launched a call for applications for the second round of its Women Delegates Fund (WDF) training.
This initiative is designed to empower women to take a leading role in global environmental negotiations during the upcoming COP17 summit in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Scheduled for August 2026, the conference will operate under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope”.
As the world’s only legally binding treaty addressing drought and land degradation, COP17 serves as a critical platform for governments and civil society to advance sustainable land management solutions.
The training program directly supports the UNCCD Gender Action Plan, which aims to increase women’s leadership across all levels of decision-making.
By building on the success of previous sessions in Panama City, the Secretariat hopes to ensure that female voices are central to the COP17 process.
Funding and benefits
Participants selected for the program will receive comprehensive support to facilitate their attendance at the conference from August 17–28, 2026.
This includes direct participation support to ensure that financial barriers do not hinder effective engagement in the UNCCD process.
Beyond logistical aid, delegates will gain access to specialized capacity-building activities and negotiation support.
These resources, along with pre-COP briefings and networking opportunities, are tailored to help women delegates contribute meaningfully to high-level multilateral discussions.
Application requirements and eligibility
The initiative is specifically open to women delegates representing developing country Parties.
To ensure a diverse range of voices, the Secretariat is giving priority to applicants from Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Each government is invited to nominate one eligible woman from their official COP17 delegation.
Nominations must be submitted by National Focal Points and must include a CV or a short biography of the proposed candidate to demonstrate their background and potential impact.
Deadline
National Focal Points are encouraged to submit their official nomination letters and supporting documents through the UNCCD’s designated channels.
Interested parties should consult the detailed information provided by the Secretariat to ensure all materials are received in time for the summer negotiations.
To apply, visit UNCCD call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more
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